European Championships | 8 Mar 2020

Prithika PAVADE won the title in superb style

Photo: M. NOVOSEL

European Under 21 Championships

In Croatia's town of Varazdin, at age 15, Prithika PAVADE of France clinched the title in the Women's Singles Event at the European Under 21 Championships. She won the crown after fantastic wins against last year's champion Adina DIACONU and her Romania's teammate, no. one seed Andreea DRAGOMAN. Bronze medalists are DIACONU and Cristina KALLBERG of Sweden.

In the final PAVADE overcame Andreea DRAGOMAN in six games (7:11, 12:14, 11:8, 4:11, 11:6, 9:11).

“In the final I had much more difficulties. Andreea's receive is much better and I had more problems with longer rallies,” said PAVADE.

The final places in the Women's Singles Event were filled as anticipated only in the upper half by Romania’s Andreea DRAGOMAN. In the opposite side of the draw, junior PAVADE upset the rankings and beat seed no. two and reigning champion Romania's Adina DIACONU.

Andreea overcame Christina KALLBERG of Sweden in straight games (11:6, 11:7, 12:10, 11:9). In their previous encounter Swede was better, but today Andreea showed no mercy.

“Cristina beat me in Cluj in Singles Event of the European Championships 4:1, but it was year a half ago and I was under severe pressure to win at home soil. Now everything was different. We both changed a lot, I improved my game,” explained DRAGOMAN.” For me, in this semi final was more important to stay calm, not to play to much risky and not to let her make easy points on my mistakes. I kept the game under control.”

Thanks to brilliant service game Prithika PAVADE put Adina DIACONU's powerful game under control. French player won in straight games (16:14, 11:7, 11:3, 11:5).

“I faced difficulties in the opening game. Adina saved few game balls, but eventually I managed to win that set. I tried to stay calm and I took advantage of my service because Adina had very big problem with it. I tried to win as much points as quickly as I can, but when I was forced to get into the rallies I stayed focus, put a lot of spin and tried to play one ball more than my adversary,” said PAVADE.